Millis key in win over S.C. legislators

Published: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 11:17 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 24, 2013 at 11:17 a.m.

RALEIGH | A deep bench and powerful inside presence under the basket gave North Carolina lawmakers the advantage they needed to make a second half run and beat a squad of South Carolina legislators 35-27 in a charity game Wednesday.

With the win at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina reclaimed the trophy from its southern rival and extended its series lead to 11-6 in an on-again, off-again competition that dates to 1979.

The 6-foot, 5-inch center Rep. Chris Millis, a Hampstead Republican, scored big points for the bipartisan N.C. General Assembly team and swatted a few big South Carolina shots, easily winning the crowd's MVP nod. "Everybody played hard," he said, sounding just like a professional athlete. "It was a team win."

Gov. Pat McCrory made an appearance in the second half, playing good minutes but clanked two free throws late in the game. "I've never been so nervous in my life," McCrory said at the line.

The North Carolina team entered to Queen's "We Will Rock You" and drew a crowd of about 150 lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers and family. The event raised nearly $600 and a barrel of food for the state's food banks.

<p>RALEIGH | A deep bench and powerful inside presence under the basket gave North Carolina lawmakers the advantage they needed to make a second half run and beat a squad of South Carolina legislators 35-27 in a charity game Wednesday.</p><p>With the win at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina reclaimed the trophy from its southern rival and extended its series lead to 11-6 in an on-again, off-again competition that dates to 1979.</p><p>The 6-foot, 5-inch center Rep. Chris Millis, a Hampstead Republican, scored big points for the bipartisan N.C. General Assembly team and swatted a few big South Carolina shots, easily winning the crowd's MVP nod. "Everybody played hard," he said, sounding just like a professional athlete. "It was a team win."</p><p>Gov. Pat McCrory made an appearance in the second half, playing good minutes but clanked two free throws late in the game. "I've never been so nervous in my life," McCrory said at the line.</p><p>The North Carolina team entered to Queen's "We Will Rock You" and drew a crowd of about 150 lawmakers, lobbyists, staffers and family. The event raised nearly $600 and a barrel of food for the state's food banks.</p><p>– The (Raleigh) News & Observer</p>